Photocomposing machine



Jan. 5, 1937. A. T. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOS ING MACHINE 8 Sheebs-Sheet 1 Filed July 18, 1955 INVENTOR Alemmkr Z'fiiappe W, M Q- N ATTORNEYS Jan. 5, 1937. KOPPE 2,066,890

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1935 8 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR Alexander Z'fioppe BY ATTORNEY Jan. 5, 1937.

A. T. KOPPE 2,066,890

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1935 8 Sheets$heet 3 56a IIHI inml INVENTOR Alexander Tli'oppe 762M 07 Q )M ATTO N EYRS Jan. 5, 1937. A. T, KOPPE 2,066,890

PHOTOCOMPOS ING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Q, Q Alexanderllibppe ATTORNEYmS 1937- A. T. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 wm M.

INVENTOR fllexander I. lib rape W, C) M ATTORN Y.9

I ll I F AWAAAAA Ill...

ii :2 M

1937. A. T. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR Alexanderl'lzoppe W,5u% ATTORN Y; M

Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Application July 18, 1935, Serial No. 31,987

14 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in photocomposing machines.

My invention has particular reference to photocomposlng machines of the type comprising a frame on which a light-sensitive surface is supported in substantially a vertical plane during those periods when said light-sensitive surface is exposed to the action of the projecting light beam.

With a photo-composing machine of the character stated, my invention further comprises an arrangement forming a vacuum chamber within which said light-sensitive surface is entirely enclosed.

Various other objects, advantages and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the photo-composing machine, vacuum chamber means, arrangements, features and combinations of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of some of the many forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view, partly broken away and with parts removed, of a photocomposing machine as constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of the machine shown in Fig. l as it appears with some parts removed;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view, partly broken away, of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is taken substantially on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a central, transverse vertical sectional view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with some parts in different positions;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, and is taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, and is taken substantially on the line I-I of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, and is taken substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view showing the negative frame in operative position;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line IIII of Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows; 5

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a preferred arrangement for sealing the negativecarrying plate with respect to the light-sensitive surface; 10

Fig. 13 is an'enlarged, transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation showing another application of the invention;

Fig. 13a is a plan view, with parts omitted, of the application of the invention of Fig. 13;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view and is taken substantially on the line I4-I4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a sealing strip.

Referring to Fig. 5, I represents a vertically extending base having a bracket 2 secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by the bolts 3, the bracket 2 being so shaped as to define a pair of spaced, horizontally extending tracks 4, 4a., Fig. 1.

e A movable support 5 is carried by the bracket 2 and this support is formed with a pair of spaced, horizontally extending surfaces 6, 6a which slidably rest on the respective tracks 4, 4a. Members I secured to the respective tracks 4, 4a may be utilized for retaining said surfaces 6, 6a in operative position on said tracks. A lug 9 upstanding from the bracket 2, Figs. 1, 4 and 5, has journalled therein a screw 9 which is threaded through a depending section of the support 5. The screw 9 may be operated by a suitable handle III to effect movement of the support 5 from left to right or vice versa, Figs. 4 and 5.

A pair of upstanding standards II, IIa are suitably secured, as by bolts I2, to the support 5 at opposite sides thereof. These standards II, Ila carry a plate I3 which is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by the bolts I4. The

plate I3, then, is supported in vertical position as clearly shown in Fig. 5 and, as is obvious, is movable back and forth under the control of the screw 9.

As clearly appears from Figs. 1 and 3, the base I comprises oppositely extending bracket arms I5, I5a to the horizontal upper surfaces of which the respective upstanding standards I6, l6a, Fig. 3, are secured in any suitable manner, as by the bolts II. Secured to the standards I6, IGa at the top thereof is a horizontal member or plate I8 which, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, carries a pair of spaced guide brackets. Each of these guide brackets comprises a' base section i9 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the plate I8. Each bracket base section |9 terminates in an upwardly extending vertical section |9a, a horizontal section I91), and a downwardly extending vertical section |9c, the sections Isa, |9b and 90 of each bracket serving as a guiding means in the manner hereinafter described.

Each of the aforesaid bracket arms I5, I51: carries a pair of spaced, horizontally disposed bolts 20 and 2|, Fig. 1, each of the bolts 20 having a roller 22 freely rotatable thereon, and each bolt 2| carrying a spacing sleeve 24 of a width corresponding with that of the adjacent roller 22. These rollers 22 constitute the sole support for a member 23 which is horizontally movable thereon under manual control in the manner hereinafter described. Each pair of the bolts 20, 2| carries a flanged plate 25, the plates 25 as shown in Figs. 4 and'5, coacting with and serving as a guide for one side surface of the member 23, the other side surface of which slidably engages spaced boss-like Surfaces l5b, Fig. 4, formed on the aforesaid bracket arms I5, [5a. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, gibs or keys 26 are disposed with the angle formed by the respective plates 25 so that the member 23 may be firmly supported in its intended position.

The member 23 forms the base of a casting which may be apertured as indicated at 23a, Fig. 3, said casting comprising the vertical side members 23b joined by an upper horizontal member 230, the upper surface of which is engaged by the aforesaid bracket sections |9a, I91) and I90, Fig. 4. As will readily be understood, in view of the foregoing description, the casting of which the member 23 is the base defines a rectangular frame slidable on the above noted rollers 22. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the above noted casting furth.r comprises the horizontal wing sections 23d disposed on the respective opposite sides thereof and forming oppositely extending continuations of the base 23.

Each of the casting side members supports a pair of spaced brackets 21 and 28, these pairs of brackets having vertical jack screws 29, 29a journalled therein, respectively. The lower end of each jack screw 29, 29a terminates in a worm wheel 30, Fig. 5, and each worm wheel 30 meshes with a worm 3|, Fig. 2. The worms 3| are secured to a shaft 32 rotatably mounted in suitable brackets 33 carried by the member 23 and its wing section 23d at the left thereof, Figs. 1 and 2. The shaft 32, at its outer end, may be equipped with a crank handle 34, Fig. 1, whereby said shaft 32 may be manually rotated for the purpose hereinafter described.

The threads of the jack screws 29, 29a are pitched to the same degree and each of said jack screws carries a nut 35 which is suitably arranged in threaded engagement therewith, Fig. 2. These nuts 35 are disposed at the same horizontal level and have a horizontally disposed angle iron 36, or the like suitably secured thereto, Fig. 5. Supported by the angle iron 36 is a square or horizontal frame F, Fig. 3, which, in the example shown, comprises four angle irons 31 secured together by corner plates 38, the lowermost angle iron 31 being secured to the angle iron 36 by hinges 39, Figs. 3 and 5.

Each angle iron 31 forms a partial housing for and is suitably secured to a member 40, these members 40 being coextensive in length with the respective angle irons with which they are a sociated. As shown on the drawings, the members 40 are preferably square or rectangular in section. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper and lower angle irons 31 have a plurality of spaced straps 4| suitably secured thereto' Each of the straps 4| carries a cleat member 42 between which and a suitable flexible member or rubber blanket 43 a plurality of spaced slats 44 are disposed, the flexible member 43 being cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the members 40 of the frame F, and the blocks 44 being secured to the cleats 42. As shown in Fig. 4, the faces of the members 40 and the blocks 4| at the left are disposed substantially in the same plane to thereby form a flat, open surface which is engaged by the aforesaid fiexible member 43.

The upper angle iron 31 has secured thereto a pair of spaced hinges 45, each of which carries a standard 45 adapted to be moved into a vertical position when the frame F is disposed horizontally as shown in Fig. 5. For locating and maintaining the standards 45 in vertical position, there is associated with each standard an extensible link mechanism, Fig. 5, which comprises a pair of members 41 and 48, these members being pivoted to each other and the member 41 being pivoted to that cleat member 42 adjacent thereto while the member 48 is pivoted to its standard 46.

It is desirable that the frame F be moved from vertical to horizontal position against spring pressure and, to this end, an arrangement of any suitable character may be employed. For example, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, there may thus be utilized a rod 49 which is horizontally supported by the aforesaid standards I6, lBa and by a pair of spaced supports 50, 50a upstanding from and secured to the respective bracket arms l5, l5a. Coiled around the rod 49 are a pair of springs 5|, 5|a disposed, respectively, adjacent the supports 50, 50a. The short end of the spring 5| is locked to the support 50 by a clamp 52 while the long end of said spring 5| engages the left hand angle iron 31 of the frame F. Similarly, the short end of the spring 5|a is held in engagement with the support 50a by a clamp 52,.the long end of said spring 5|a engaging the right hand angle iron 31 of said frame F. As the frame F is positioned in Fig. 4, the springs 5|, 5|a tend to unwind around the rod 49 in a counterclockwise direction and, therefore, they form a resilient backing for said frame F.

As shown in Fig. 3, the upper angle iron 31 of the frame F carries a handle 53 which may be grasped and manipulated when said frame is to be moved toward and from vertical position. Further as shown in Fig. 3, said upper angle iron 31 carries a pair of spaced brackets 54 each of which comprises a vertically extending sleeve-like member 54a having a set screw 55 threaded into a passage formed in the wall thereof.

A horizontal bar 56 carries a pair of downwardly extending pins 51 which are spaced apart to an extent corresponding with the spacing of the sleeve members 54a. The bar 56 terminates in oppositely facing slide members 56a which engage vertical track members 58, respectively, these slide and track members being connected together in tongue-and-groove fashion as shown on the drawings. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, each of the slide members 55a comprises a laterally extending pin 56b. Accordingly, with the frame F in vertical position, the lateral pins 56b may be grasped to move the bar 56 downwardly, Fig. 3, to cause the pins 51 to enter the respective sleeve members 54a, respectively, Fig. 2. In this manthe adjacent member 10.

ner, the frame F is locked in vertical position and this locking action may be more permanently effected by so turning the set screws 55 that they look against the respective pins 51.

The vertical track members 58 are permanently anchored to the respective side members 23b of the casting 23 and they may be connected to gether by an upper bar 59.

In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, the members 40, cleat members 42, slats 44 and standards 46 are formed from wood while the remaining major parts of the frame F are formed from iron. A construction of this character is sturdy and rigid while at the same time being sufficiently light-weight for manual operation.

As shown on the drawings, the aforesaid rubber blanket 43 directly engages the lattice work formed by the members 40 and slats 44. As indicated in Fig. 2, said flexible member 43 is square or rectangular and the periphery thereof is engaged by a sealing strip 60 which is likewise square or rectangular and continuous or unbroken throughout the length thereof.

As illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 8, 9, 12 and 13, the outer members of each of the angle irons 31 extend only part way to the plane of the flexible member 43. These spaces between the several angle irons and the flexible member 43 are filled by strips 6| of wood or the like, such wooden strips being secured to the adjacent members 40 by wood screws 62, or equivalent, Fig. 12. Brackets 63 are secured to the strips 6| by suitable members such as the tacks 64, these brackets preferablybeing coextensive in length with the respective strips 6| and having angular ends fastened to the sealing strip 60 whereby the latter is securely retained in its intended position.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 8, each of the vertical angle irons 31, approximately midway between the ends thereof ,has an angle bracket 65 secured thereto by bolts 66. These brackets extend along the inner surfaces of the adjacent members 40 respectively, and secured to each of them, immediately below the flexible member 43, is an apertured block 61. Each block 61 has a set screw 66 threaded through the wall thereof and each set screw engages the shank of a pin 69 seated in the block aperture, the head of said pin 69 projecting outwardly from the plane of the flexible member 43, the shanks of the pins 69 extending through said flexible member 43 and seating within the respective sleeve-like members 61.

As indicated in Figs. 2, 4, 12 and 13, that member 40 which is associated with the upper horizontal angle iron 31 is provided with two or more spaced recesses in each of which a member 10 is seated, these members 10 extending to the lower surface of the flexible member 43. Each member 10 is adapted to have a clamping block ll adjustably secured thereto and, to this end, there may-be utilized a pair of screws 12 which extend through elongated slots Ila formed in each block H, the screws being threaded into As shown in Figs. 12 and'13, the members H comprise lower inclined faces 1 lb utilizable as hereinafter described.

In a manner generally the same as described above, two or more spaced clamping blocks 13 are secured to that member 40 which is associated with the lower horizontal angle iron 31. The blocks 13 are of the same shape as the blocks II. fixed to said member 46 since they do not comprise elongated slots as do the blocks H.

The former, however, are non-adjustably' With the frame F in vertical position as shown in Fig. 2, the upper inclined surfaces of the lower blocks 13 are disposed in horizontal alinement; Similarly, the upper blocks 1| are disposed in horizontal alinement although it will be understood that said blocks II are vertically adjustable due to the presence of the elongated slots Ha.

In accordance with the invention, the blocks H and 13 are adapted to retain a plane plate 14 of suitable metal or the like to the frame F. This plate 14, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 12, is provided with inclined or beveled upper and lower surfaces llb corresponding with the bevel of said blocks TI and 13. In order to secure said plate 14 in the position shown, the screws 12 for the blocks H are slightly retracted whereupon said last named blocks 'H are moved in a direction from the bottom of the frame F. The lower end of the plate 14 may then be seated against the fixed blocks 13 and the upper end thereof placed in the position illustrated in Fig. 12. The blocks 1| are then moved to the respective positions thereof shown in Figs. 2 and 12 whereupon the screws 'I2 are rethreaded into the members 10. Obviously, with such an arrangement, the plate 14 is secured to the frame F in a detachable manner.

.As shown in Fig. 12, the inner surface of the plate '14 is disposed flatwise against the adjacent matted surface of the blanket 43 and a sheet of rubber material '15 is disposed fiatwisc against the outer surface of said plate 14, said rubber sheet 15 being adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to said plate 14. The outer surface of the rubber sheet 15 carries a suitable light-sensitive sheet 16, such as a zinc plate, which is detachably secured to said rubber sheet 15, as by the adhesive tape strips 11, Fig. 2.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the left hand wing section 23d of the casting 23 supports a standard 18 which extends vertically and has its upper end secured by a bracket 19 to the left hand side member 23b of said casting 23. In a similar manner, the right hand wing section 23d of the casting 23 supports a vertical standard 88 which has its upper end secured to the right hand casting side member 23b by a bracket 8|.

The aforesaid angle iron 36 which supports the frame F comprises oppositely extending extensions 36a, Fig. 7. To the left hand extension 36a, a bracket 82 is secured and this bracket slidably engages the standard 18. A second bracket 83 is secured to-the right hand extension 36a of said angle iron 36 and this bracket 83 slidably engages the bracket 80.

From a consideration of Fig. 7, it will be noted that the standard 18 is circular in section and that the bracket 82 is in the form of a circular sleeve. The standard 80, however, is non-circula-r in section and the bracket 83 is in the form of a clevis. This construction is provided because desirable from a manufacturing viewpoint and, further, because preventing binding of the parts.

The above described bracket 28 for the jack screw 29 comprises a bearing 26a for a shaft 84, Fig. 2, which carries a gear 85 meshing with a gear 66 carried by the upper end of said jack screw 29. The shaft 84 carries a disk 81 and said bracket 28 comprises a section 28b disposed adjacent said disk.

The left hand extension 36a of the angle iron 36 has a vertical rod 88 secured thereto, the upper end of said rod being slidably supported in a bracket 89 carried by the left hand track 2911 as effected by the shaft 32.

member 58, Fig. 2. The upper end of the rod 88 has secured thereto a collar 90 which carries a pointer movable along a scale 9I carried by the left hand side member 23b of the casting 23.

The arrangement last described constitutes a convenient means for indicating the height of the frame F. The scale 9| may be suitably calibrated to indicate the height of said frame F for any particular adjustment of the jack screws 29, As will readily be understood, the disk 81 serves Vernier-fashion to indicate the fraction of one of the calibrated spaces of the scale 9| to which the aforesaid pointer is moved when effecting adjustment of the frame F in the manner described above.

As shown in Fig. l, the right hand wing section 23d of the casting 23 carries a plurality of spaced brackets 92 in which is journalled a threaded shaft 93 carrying an operating handle 94 at one end thereof. Secured to the base I is a bracket 95, Fig. 2, which carries the shank 96 of an internally threaded nut member 96a through which the shaft 93 extends and to which said shaft is threaded. The end of said shaft 93 opposite the handle 94 is journalled in and fixed to a projecting section 23e of the casting 23, Fig. 6. This casting section 23c carries a pointer 91 which extends beneath the aforesaid vertical plate I3. Disposed adjacent the end of the pointer 91 is a scale 98 carried by a bracket 99 fixed to a projecting section 2a of the above described bracket 2.

The nut member 96a is fixed with respect to the base I and, therefore, rotation of the shaft 93 causes the casting 23 and all parts carried thereby to be moved in a horizontal direction, this action necessarily following because one end of said shaft 93 is secured to the casting section 236.

As well shown in Fig. 1, the vertical plate I3 previously referred to is provided with a centrally located square opening I3a. Immediately adjacent this opening, said plate I3 is recessed, as at I3b, Figs. 12 and 13, to provide a seat for an endless rubber sealing strip I00 of square configuration and of such shape that it fits the above noted plate recess I322.

The printing plate holder is formed by two square frame plates WI and I02 disposed fiatwise against each other and secured together by rivets I03, Fig. 11. The thickness of the plate IOI is substantially the same as the thickness of the vertical plate I3 and, as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the plate I02 projects outwardly beyond all sides of the plate IOI to thereby form a square frame surface adapted for engagement with the sealing strip I00.

Each side of the frame plate I02, midway between the ends thereof, carries a small supplementary plate I04, Fig. 10, each of which defines a dowel hole I05. As shown in Fig. 10, the frame plate I02 carries a pair of spaced vertical angle irons I06 and a pair of spaced horizontal angle irons I01, all of these angle irons being secured to said frame plate I02 by screws I08 and each angle iron I06, midway between the ends thereof, carrying a handle I09, these handles being utilizable as hereinafter described for the purpose of manipulating the printing plate holder.

As illustrated in Figs. and 11, each vertical angle iron I06, immediately adjacent the respective upper and lower ends thereof, carries a laterally projecting pin I I0 to each of which an arm III is pivoted, each arm having a shank II2 threaded laterally therethrough, and each shank I I2 comprising an operating head I I3.

As is further shown in Figs. 10 and 12, the frame plate I02 comprises a plurality of projecting stud pins II4, two or more of these stud pins being formed on each horizontal and vertical surface of said frame plate I02.

The functions of the parts described immediately above, 1. e., the arms III, etc. and the stud pins I I4 will be hereinafter described in detail.

As shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 10, the vertical plate I3, just below the opening I3a, has a horizontally disposed angle iron I I 5 secured thereto by screws H3 or the like. Midway between its ends, the horizontal surface of said angle iron H5 has an upstanding member Ill suitably secured thereto, this member III being spaced from the vertical plate I3 a distance slightly greater than the combined thickness of the two plates I02 and I04 which, as stated, form the printing plate holder.

In Figs. 1 and 5, a pair of horizontally alined dowel pins H0 and H9 are shown as projecting laterally from the vertical plate I3. These dowel pins may be secured to said plate I3 in any suitable manner. For example, as shown in Figs. 1 and 11, each dowel pin may be formed with a lower flanged surface I20, such surfaces being secured to the plate I3 by screws I2I. -'I'he dowel pins H8 and iii) are disposed immediately adjacent the respective vertical sides of the opening I 3a and the centers of said dowel pins coincide with a horizontal line which exactly bisects said opening I3a.

Spaced horizontally from each of the dowel pins H3 and H9 are the respective pivot pins I22 and I23, the former being threaded into the upstanding angle iron II and the latter being threaded into the upstanding angle iron Ila. Above the opening I3a, the vertical plate I3, midway between the vertical sides of said opening, has a small plate I24 secured thereto by screws I25, said plate I24 carrying a projecting pivot pin I26. Each of the pivot pins I22, I23 and I29 carries a pivoted arm I21 having a shank I20 threaded through an opening formed adjacent the free end thereof, each shank terminating in an operating head I29.

As shown in Fig. l, the plate I24 comprises a laterally extending member I24a disposed in the path of the pivoted arm I2I to limit counterclockwise movement thereof.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the aforesaid plate IN is provided with a central rectangular opening IOIc within which is received the printing plate I30 which may be either a photographic positive or negative, said plate being herein iilustrated as a transparent glass plate bearing a design or representation, the likeness of which is to be reproduced on the light-sensitive surface Hi. The printing plate I30 is suitably maintained in proper adjusted position in the aforesaid opening I0I0 of the plate IOI in any suitable manner such, for example, as well known in the art. To this end, there may be utilized a plurality of faced clamping plates I3I, Figs. 10, 12 and 13, which engage the bevelled edges of said printing plate I30, movement of these clamping plates I3I being controlled by threaded spindles I32 operated, respectively, by nuts I33 positioned in suitable manner so as to be movable only in a rotatable direction. 4

For the purpose of sealing the opening between the printing plate I30 and the plate IN, I provide a sealing frame I34 which is of rectangular configuration corresponding with the shape iii ' members of said printing plate. As clearly shown in Fig. 10, the sealing frame I34 comprises four frame I35, adjacent ends of each pair of which are connected together by a joint I36, these joints permitting the frame members I35 to move with respect to each other. The frame members I35 form a supporting frame to which is suitably secured a continuous channel-shaped rubber sealing member I31 of rectangular configuration, said sealing member having a first lateral flange I38 which engages the adjacent surface of the printing plate I30 and a second lateral flange I39 which engages the adjacent surface of the plate IOI whereby the space between the edges of the plates IOI and I30 are bridged to thereby seal this opening and prevent the passage of air therethrough. Preferably, channel-shaped members I40, of slightly less length than the respective frame members I35 are fitted into and secured to the channel-shaped sealing member I31 as shown in Fig. 11. With an arrangement of the character described, space is provided between the flanges I38 and I39 for the reception of the above described adjusting arrangements for the printing plate I30. By virtue of the provision of the joints I36, the sealing frame I34 is flexible at its corners so that it may adjust itself to any irregularities in the surface contour or thickness of the printing plate I30.

As clearly appears from a consideration of Fig. 10, the hereinbefore described sets of angle irons I06 and I! serve as a pocket'in which the sealing frame I34 is received. Further, the above described pivoted arms III and the shanks II2 serve, in an obvious manner, as an arrangement for securing said sealing frame I34 in its intended operative position as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Furthermore, the pressure exerted by the threaded shanks causes the sealing strip flange members I38 and I39 to be thrust into close engagement with the respective plates IM and I30 to thereby produce a sealed chamber interiorly of the channel shaped sealing member I31.

When the herein described mechanism is to be operated. a printing plate holder is chosen which has an opening IOIe of the proper dimensions to receive the selected printing plate I30. Thereupon, in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art, the printing plate is positioned in said printing plate holder and clamped therein by manipulation of the above described adjusting nuts I33.

Upon completion of the operation described above, the pair of handles I03 are grasped and the combined printing plate and holder therefor are then positioned in the opening I3a of the vertical plate I3. In so doing, the dowel holes I05 of the printing plate holder I02 are registered with the respective dowel pins H8 and III! and the printing plate assembly is then moved to operative position as shown in Fig. 11. In so doing, as will be observed from a consideration of Fig. 10, a set of the lowermost stud members II4 are seated upon the horizontal angle iron II5. After the printing plate assembly has been positioned as described above, the arms I21 are moved to the respective positions thereof as shown in Fig. 10 and then, by manipulation of the shanks I28, said printing plate assembly is positively locked in its intended operative position. In so doing, the

plate. I02 compresses the rubber sealing strip I00 and thereby produces a sealed joint at the junction between the plates I02 and I3.

After completion of the foregoing, the sealing frame I34 is placed in operative position as described above and as shown in connection with Figs. 10 and 11. With said sealing frame locked in this position, it results that the lowermost side, as shown in Fig. 11, of the space between the plates I30 and IOI is sealed from the atmosphere.

If it is assumed that the frame F bears an un exposed light-sensitive surface 16 and that said frame has been locked in its vertical position, it results that the apparatus is in condition for that stage of the operation wherein a selected area of the light-sensitive surface I6 is positioned opposite the printing plate I30. To this end, the handle 94 is operated to so rotate the shaft 93 that the casting 23 is horizontally moved in the proper direction to bring the selected area of the lightsensitive surface I6 in vertical alinement with respect to the printing plate I30. Thereupon, by manipulation of the handle 34, the shaft 32 is rotated to either raise or lower the frame F as required to position said selected area of the lightsensitive surface I6 in horizontal alinement with respect to said printing plate I30. Upon completion of these adjusting operations, the selected light-sensitive surface which is to receive the impression is positioned directly opposite the printing plate. As well understood in the art, the various pointers and scales hereinbefore described may be utilized in connection with the above described adjusting operations.

After completion of the positioning operation described above, the handle I0 is manipulated to thereby bodily move the plate I3 and the therebyearried printing plate arrangement from left to right, Fig. 5, so that the various parts take the respective positions shown in Fig. 4. As clearly appears, the plate I3, when moving as just described, comes into engagement with the sealing strip 60 and, to some extent, compresses the latter so as to form a seal around the light-sensitive surface 16. It results, therefore, that said light-sensitive surface I6, partly by virtue of the operation last described, is entirely enclosed within a sealed chamber. Thus, the sealing strip 60 and the plate I3 serve to produce a seal around the periphery of said light-sensitive surface I6. Further, the space between the plate I3 and the member IN is sealed by the sealing strip I00 while the space between said member IM and the printing plate I30 is sealed by the sealing frame arrangement I34.

In accordance with the invention, the aforesaid sealed chamber which contains the lightsensitive surface 16 is evacuated so as to produce close contact between the printing plate I30 and said light-sensitive surface. To this end, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9, one of the frame members 40 is provided with a transverse passage in which is seated a member I4I having a passage I4Ia communicating with said sealed chamber. Opening into this passage I4Ia is a conduit I42 to which is connected a flexible hose I 43 which, as shown in Fig. 1, may lead to one port of a. control valve I44 having another port to which is connected a flexible conduit I45 leading to an air pump, not shown. As illustrated, the valve I44 is in communication with a gauge I46 which indicates the extent to which the aforesaid sealed chamber has been evacuated. As will readily be understood, the air pump noted above, under control of the valve I44, operates to evacuate to a desired degree the sealed chamber containing the light-sensitive surface I6. As a result of such evacuation, the printing plate I30, under the influence of atmospheric pressure effected on the exterior surfaces of the flexible member 43 and said printing plate I30, comes into close intimate engagement with said light-sensitive surface. At this time, the actual printing operation may be proceeded with in the manner well understood in -the photo-composing art.

As illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, the inner surface, i. e., that surface of the plates I3 and IOI which are engaged by the light-sensitive surface, are provided with spaced, shallow channels or grooves I41 which extend preferably vertically and horizontally and the presence of which aid in the production of the aforesaid partial vacuum.

After completion of the exposure operation noted above, the pressure interiorly of the described seaied chamber is restored to atmospheric value, and the plate I3 is moved to its retracted position by operation of the handle I0. Thereupon, the light-sensitive surface I6 may be shifted either vertically or horizontally so as to bring the same to the next predetermined exposure position. Then the plate I3 may be returned to the position of Fig. 4, the partial vacuum reestablished and the next printing operation proceeded with all as described above in detail. In this manner, the printing operations are proceeded with by successively performing the series of steps outlined above and, obviously, such printing operations may continue until the entire face of the light-sensitive surface has been exposed.

After completion of the final printing operation, the bar 55 is elevated to remove the locking pins 51 from the respective sleeve members 54a. Thereupon, the frame F may be swung from its vertical position to horizontal position as shown in Fig. 5 and, after removal of the tape strips 11, the light-sensitive surface I6 may be removed and thereafter developed in the usual manner. Upon completion of the foregoing, an unexposed light-sensitive surface may be secured to the rubber sheet I5, the frame F may be elevated to and locked in vertical position, and then the series of steps heretofore described may be performed in sequence in order to form on the light-sensitive surfaces spaced images of the representation on the printing plate.

In an important application of the invention and as well understood in the art, the hereinbefore described light-sensitive surface I5 may be a zinc press plate, or equivalent, which has relatively slight thickness and is used on offset printing presses. Under some circumstances, images are desirably produced on the light-sensitive surface of a glass or other transparent plate having substantial thickness and, if so, the arrangement is necessarily somewhat different from that hereinbefore described. Thus, as indicated in Figs. 13 and 13a, a metallic frame plate I50 having a generally rectangular opening [50a is secured in the position shown by the above described clamping blocks II and I3. The opening I500. of the frame plate I50 is adapted to receive the relatively thick transparent plate i5I, the sensitized surface of which is adapted to take the images of the representations on the printing plate. Preferably, the plate I5I is of substantially the same thickness as the frame plate I50 and it is seated in the opening I50a so that adjacent sides thereof bear against the respective right angle edges of said opening at one corner thereof. The other adjacent sides of the plate I5I are engaged by clamps I52 adjustably mounted on bars I53 and held in adjusted position by screws I54 threaded into said bars I53 and extending through elon- The opening I50a is shaped on two sides to receive the bars I53. With said bars in place as shown in Fig. 130, the clamps I52 may be adjusted against the adjacent edges of the plate I50 to positively secure this plate in its intended position in the frame F whereby said plate I50 may be moved toward and from printing position in generally the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the light-sensitive surface I0.

In accordance with the invention, the mechanism herein disclosed is adapted for use with printing plates of different dimensions. To this end, a plurality of printing plate holders may be supplied, it being understood that the frame plates IOI and I0! of all the plate holders will have the same exterior dimensions corresponding with the dimensions of the aperture Ila of the plate I3. However, the interior dimensions of the various sets of frame plates IOI, I02 will be different in accordance with the different external dimensions of the various printing plates. With the multiple plate holders thus supplied, it will be understood that multiple and different sized sealing frames I34 are necessarily provided.

Along the lines of the foregoing, it will be understood that a plurality of frame plates I50, Figs. 13 and 130, may be supplied, each frame plate having a different sized opening so that a plurality of different sized glass plates I5I may be utilized with the disclosed machine. With the same frame plate I50 and varying widths of bars I53, different size glass plates may be held within the opening I50a of said frame plate I50.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be clearly understood that my invention relates to a photo-composing machine of the vertical type, i. e., one in which the printing plate and the light-sensitive surface are disposed in adjacent vertical planes during the exposure intervals. With a machine of this advantageous type, my invention further relates to the enclosure of the entire light-sensitive surface in the chamber which is to be evacuated in order to obtain close contact between the printing surfaces.

With prior photo-composing machines of the vertical adjustable type, only that part of the light-sensitive surface opposite the printing plate is included in the vacuum chamber. With such an arrangement, the advantageous results of the present invention may not be realized. Thus, by my present invention which, as stated, relates to a machine of the vertical type, a more perfect contact is obtained between printing surfaces than has heretofore been possible and this results in improvement in detail of the representation produced on the light-sensitive surface. At the same time, the control effected by the vacuum on the entire area of the light-sensitive surface rather than on local areas as in the prior art results in the production of an improved zinc plate, or equivalent.

Thus, the present invention is particularly advantageous in that the light-sensitive plate or surface is entirely enclosed within the vacuum chamber of a photo-composing machine of the vertical type whereby relative adjustment between the printing plate and light-sensitive surface may be attained in a manner which is impossible of attainment with prior art arrangements of either vertical or horizontal type. These and other advantages incident to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art. after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member while said members are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, and means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring them into contacting relation.

2. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for efiecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member while said members are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, such relative movement being produced in vertical and horizontal directions, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, and means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring them into contacting relation.

3. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member while said members are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, such relative movement being produced in vertical and horizontal directions, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring them into contacting relation, and means for evacuating said vacuum chamber to bring said sensitized member and said printing member into printing relation.

4. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member while said members are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, and means for moving said printing member toward said sensitized member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip, said sensitized member and said printing member being maintained substantially in parallel relation while said printing member is being controlled by said last named means.

5. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, and means for efiecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip, the supporting means for the sensitized member comprising a pivot arrangement whereby said sensitized member may be moved from vertical to horizontal position at will.

6. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for moving said sensitized member in a plurality of directions while said sensitized member and said printing member are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, and means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip.

7. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for moving said sensitized member in a plurality of directions at right angles to each other while said sensitized member and said printing member are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, and means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip.

8. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for moving said sensitized member in a horizontal direction while maintaining the same parallel with respect to said printing member, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, and means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip.

9. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for moving said sensitized member in either a vertical or a horizontal direction while maintaining the same parallel with respect to said printing member, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, and means for eifecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip.

10. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for moving said sensitized member in either a vertical or a horizontal direction while maintaining the same parallel with respect to said printing member, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, means for efiecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip, and means for evacuating said vacuum chamber to bring said sensitized member and said printing member into printing relation.

11. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in a vertical plane, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent vertical plane, means for moving said sensitized member in either a vertical or a horizontal direction while maintaining the same parallel with respect to said printing member, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, and means for moving said printing member toward said sensitized member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip, said sensi tized member and said printing member being maintained substantially in parallel relation while said printing member is being controlled by said last named means, the supporting means for the sensitized member comprising a pivot arrangement whereby said sensitized member may be moved from vertical to horizontal position at will.

12. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in an upright position, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent upright position, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member while said members are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, means for eflecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring them into contacting relation and means for evacuating said vacuum chamber to bring said sensitized member and said printing member into printing relation.

13. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in an upright position, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent upright position, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member while said members are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring them into contacting relation, and means for evacuating said vacuum chamber to bring said sensitized member and said printing member into printing relation, the supporting means for the sensitized member comprising a pivot arrangement whereby said sensitized member may be moved from vertical to horizontal position at will.

14. In combination, means for supporting a sensitized member in an upright position, means for supporting a printing member in an adjacent upright position, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member while said members are maintained in spaced relation with respect to each other, means forming a vacuum chamber within which said sensitized member is entirely enclosed, said last named means comprising a resilient sealing strip disposed between said sensitized member and said printing member, means for effecting relative movement between said sensitized member and said printing member to bring these members into contacting relation and to compress said sealing strip, and means for evacuating said vacuum chamber to bring said sensitized member and said printing member into printing relation, the supporting means for the sensitized member comprising a pivot arrangement whereby said sensitized member may be moved from vertical to horizontal position at will.

ALEXANDER T. KOPPE. 

